Packing holder for fragile articles



Nov. 27, 1934. F. D GRAY -r AL PACKING HOLDER FOR FRAGILE ARTICLES FiledFeb. 10, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 gwvwntoza F. D. GRAY ET AL PACKING HOLDERFOR FRAGILE ARTICLES Filed Feb. 10, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 WELL Emma qPatented Nov. 27, 1934 PACKING HOLDER, non F tAG ILE ARTICLES Fred D.Gray and Ralph Farnham,

Herkimer,

N. Y., assignors, by mesne assignments, to Packing Products Corporation,a corporation of Delaware Application February 10, 1930, Serial No.427,116

12 Claims.

The present improvements relate, in general, to packing holders forfragile articles, such as eggs, fruits, and other globular articles, andare more particularly designed to provide a foldable' holder or filleradapted for use as a container or within other cartons or containers.

A primary object, among others, is to provide a foldable carton orcarton filler so formed and designed as to provide .a plurality ofindividual arti- T cle compartments or cells by a simple foldingoperation.

A further object of the improvements is to provide a durable and sturdyarticle holderpossessing inherent cushioning characteristics and lhaving means for cushioning and protecting the packed articles from allsides, .as well as one having separating means for the articles, formingapart of the holder.

Another object is to provide a holder'which ihas r10 fiat portions andno flat bottom member, but has a novel type of base or bottom includinga cushion and hinge means with which articleconforming depressions andprojections of the holder walls conform or merge. The provision i of anovel type of folding or hinge means, constitutes a further object ofthe invention. .In the present embodiment, this novel folding meanssupplies the connection between the cushion means of the bottom of thecell and the upstand- 1 ing article protecting walls or depressionswhereby these elements cooperate to provide a compartment substantiallyconforming to the shape of the packed article so that such article isefiiciently cushioned, protected, separated from .its companjionarticles and prevented from movement or wabbling within the cell.

:Other objects include the provision of protecting and strengtheningmeans for portions "of the holder. Further objects and advantages-of theimprovements will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon referenceto the accompanying specification and drawingsin which-- a Fig. 1 is aplan View of the improved holder, in unfolded position;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the holder in folded position;

Fig. 3 is a section on line ,3--3 of Fig. 1:;

Fig. 4 is a section on line 4,4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section, partly in elevation on line 5-5 ofFig. "4;

Fig. 6 is a side elevation looking in the direction of the arrow in Fig.4.;

Fig. 7- is a view similar to Fig. 4, but illustrating a modified form;

In the embodimentsillustrated herein, the carton or filler consists of asingle sheet of material, all parts of which are preferably formedintegral withthe sheet in one operation. The sheet is preferably formedby the pulp sucking or felting process wherein floating fibres are drawnagainst a screen member, so that the carton or filler is createdcompletein one operation. Accordingly, the foraminous die or mold is soshaped that the pulp deposited thereon will assume the prescribed formand contour of the filler.

Referring to the drawings, the sheet 10 shown in flat or unfoldedposition in Fig. 1, is preferably formed in the above described manner.in the present embodiment, said sheet comprises a plurality ofsubstantially parallel sections or wall portions 11 to 14. Each suchwall portion includesa series of alternately disposed projections 15 anddepressions 16 merging with one another and with the edges ofthe'portions, so as to present a wall member of continuously curved orarched surfaces. Referring, to the projections 15, it is seen thattheyare of substantially pyramidal or prismatic form, the walls howeverbeingcurved or cambered in all directions. Upon reference to thedrawings, it is seen that these projections sub stant'ially traverse thewall portion of which they form an integral part. Likewise, while saidprojections protrude to theirgreatest extent substantially medially ofthe wall portion, at which region the outermost portions are narrow inthe nature of a ridge, theyare broader adjacent the edges of the wallportions, e. g., at 17 and 18, at which points they likewise curveslightly in all directions. p The depressions 16 are cup-like recessesintegral with the sheet and disposed between adjacent projections. Inthe present embodiment these depressionsare concave and aresubstantially oval shaped. While these depressions extend in a di-.

rection opposite to that'of the projections, it is notable that thecurved walls of the depressions merge with their flanking projections,so that a half-ovoid cavity results. l

It is to be noted that the depressions and pro jections of one wallmember are disposed opposite tothose of the adjacent wall member so thatsimilar members on adjacent wall members are complementary. Suchadjacent wall members,

e. g.., 11 and 12are connected by an integral fold line or hinge 1'9which unites complementary portions 18, which are between thedepressions, as. at .20. In addition to hinge sections-20, annular orcurved fold line 'or hinge .21 is'provided be- OFFICE I whence theyrecede in an opposite direction form ing an inner cup or crater-likesurface. While this form of article support is preferable, it isunderstood that such member may take other forms.

It is notable that the lower annular limits of this cushion member 22merge with the annular hinge 21, while the lower extremities of thedepressions 16 likewise merge with said hinge, so that the latterdirectly connects the depressions and annular cushion member without anyintermediate fiat' or horizontal portions. Attention is also invited tothe fact that the lower extremities of the depressions curve andconverge toward the members 22 and the hinges 21. This feature isexemplified at 23, Fig. 1.

While wall portions 11 and 12 and portions 13 and 14 are thus connected,it is seen that portions 12 and 13 are united by an integrally formedhinge connection 24. 7

Upon reference to Figs. 2 and 4, the sheet 10 may be seen in foldedrelation to form an article holder. By folding the sheet downwardlyalong connecting portion 24 and again in an opposite direction alonghinges 20 and 21, it is seen that an article holder results, asillustrated in section in Fig. 4. In this manner, complementary wallportions 11, 12 and 13, 14 are disposed in upstanding relation withprojections 15 and depressions' 16 of each, brought into juxtaposition,

the former substantially meeting at their lower limits. Accordingly, aplurality of individual cells or compartments are formed with a cushionbase 22 therefor. The curved and merging walls of the projections anddepressions provide a rounded or ovoid shaped cell which conform to thecontour of an egg which is adapted to rest on the cushion seat 22. Thecontraction or convergence of the lower limits of the depressions,merging with theannular hinge and in immediate proximity to the annularcushion 22 insures that the walls of the completed compartment-willconform to the contour of the egg. It is understood that the shape ofthe article-conforming depressions 16 may be varied to suit the contourof other articles.

In examining the completed holder shown in folded relation in Fig. 4, itis seen that the rings or annular cushions 22 serve as supports for thepacked articles, functioning to hold them erect. Furthermore, thecup-like depressions and projections may cooperate to maintain thearticles upright. In packed condition the articles are enclosed andsupported by the holder, are completely separated one from another andare efficiently cushioned and protected throughout due to the form andtexture of the holder.

Upon reference to Fig. 6 the novel spring or cushion action of theannular seats is illustrated. In folding the holder from the unfoldedposition (Fig. 3) to the folded position (Fig. 4) a transposition ofparts occurs due to the inherent leverage of the holder attendant" theannular hinges, depressions, etc. In the unfolded position of Fig. 3,'the annular rings 22 and hinges 21 are substantially on the horizontaldotted line while the intermediate hinge means 20 are slightly abovesuch dotted line. In folding the holder to the position of Fig. 4, theinherent leverage causes the aforementioned parts to change places, soto speak, so that the hinge means 20 are brought down to the horizontalwhile the annular hinges 21 and cushions 22 are slightly raised abovethe horizontal. While this effect is evi- .dent in Fig. 4, it is seenmore clearly in Fig. 6.

This result is probably attributable to the provision of the annularhinge, as well as to the fact that the seats 22, depressions 16 andprojections 15 merge therewith. It is seen therefore, that the hingemeans 20 serve as the base of the holder, while the annular cushions 22have added resilience due to the freedom of a movement up and down fromthe raised position (Fig. 6) to the plane of the member 20. By affordingthis slight movement it is apparent that added cushioning effect isprovided for each article and compartment. Should it he foundunnecessary or undesirable to provide this auxiliary resilience, theimprovements contemplate such an arrangement so that the annular seatsand hinges are disposed in the same horizontal plane.

The present invention is accordingly in the nature of an improvement onthe copending application of Morris Koppelman, Serial No. 384,591, filedAugust 9, 1929. In addition to advantages already noted, the presentimprovements provide an individual cushion seat for the packed articleswithout sacrificing the advantages of the Koppelman structure. Byproviding this ring in the bottom of each compartment with a fold linesurrounding same, added flexibility and adjust-' ability is effectedwithout interfering with the strong yet resilient support ,of thearticle by the ring. Furthermore, the size of the space at the bottom ofthe pocket or cell is reduced so that the articles are held snugly. Inadopting. a single longitudinally extending hinge at the "bottom of thecell row instead of two or more, an efficient embodiment results, havingthe advantages of a cushion seat as well as of a cupped or in-v clinedwall structure. Furthermore, the novel combination of the annular seatand single hinge serves to keep the holder in position. in a carton whenit is employed as a filler, this feature being of marked advantage whenthe filler is only partially filled.

When the articles are packed in the holder, it is important that they beprotected from shocks from above, and for this reason the central hingeconnection 24 protrudes above the upper level of the eggs, as well asslightly above the walls of the surrounding carton. However, suchprovision does not entirely insure against certain shocks or pressure,which may cause the con nection to spread or collapse with the attendantloss of the protecting function. In the present improvements, this hingeconnection is made unusually rigid and protective by the provision ofone or more ribs 25 in line with each compartr'nent. In addition to thisrefinement of construction, a combined strengthening rib and cushion 26is provided in association with each sisting pressure a arched or curvedwalls 0f the depressions 16 DIOJectione 15 of the upstanding sidewalls.The provision of these cushion ribs 26 therefore causes the upstandingWalls to resist pressure experienced by the hinge connection, making thelatter more rigid, and also prevents the possibility'of a crease orweakened areabeing set up at the region where the walls 12, 13 and hingeconnection 24 meet. I

An additional function of these ribs 26 resides in the fact that theyprotrude beyond the surface of the depressions l6 and therefore beyondthe surface of the egg or other packed article so as to provide a shockresisting cushion on each side of the individual cell or pockets.Furthermore, as seen in Fig. 4, these members 26,

hers 25 and 26 advantage, it is of the improvements, may be made withoutde-' parting from the We claim:

1. A holder for fragile articles comprising side wall members eachhaving a row of cup-shaped depressions, a plurality of spaced fold linesaligned end toward end, and spaced longitudinally of the rows ofdepressions providing spaced hinges for portions between depressions,article seats between the ends of said fold lines, said seats beingassociated with said depressions, the lower extremities of saiddepressions being in proximity to said seats.

2. In a foldable member, curved hinge means curving about the purview ofthe invention.

article receiving depression, of said depression being substantiallycoincident with said hinge means.

3. In a foldable member, annular hinge means curving about and herconnected. tion of said hinge means.

4. A foldable holder for fragile articles com prising a plurality ofupstanding wall members, substantially horizontally disposed cushionmeans thercbetween, and a plurality of curved hinge means connectingsaid walls and curving about said cushion means.

3 5. A holder for fragile articles comprising side Wall members and aplurality of spaced annular article seats, said wall members having anarticle conforming depression associated with each seat, the lowerextremities of said depressions being respectively inclined toward theperipheries of the straight portions connecting said Wall members toeach other and to said seats.

61 A foldable holder for 7. A foldable holder for fragile articlesformed of a sheet of material folded to form a trough having upstandingWalls, a series of article seats having upstanding walls, said wallshaving a cum 9. A foldable holder for fragile articles formed of a sheetof material folded to provide a trough having upstanding relation, andannular seats disposed between said Walls and between the ends of saidfold lines.

10. A foldable holder for fragile article's formed of a sheet ofmaterial folded to provide a trough having upstanding walls, said wallshaving a common connection at their base of fold lines aligned endwisebetween the ends of said fold lines, and said being hinged to saidannular seats.

11. A foldable holder for fragile articles formed walls comprising aseries of fold lines aligned endwise in spaced relation,

and article seats disposed between said walls and FRED D. GRAY. RALPHFARNHAM.

